The size of her land has not limited Pamela Courtney from becoming as innovative as she is with her backyard garden, transforming what many may describe as trash: old drums , bathtubs, and containers into planting mediums.
Pamela’s backyard garden is filled with many varieties of crops: lettuce, tomatoes, cabbages, peppers, and fresh herbs, all of which are incorporated into the family pot. Her meat is also grown at home. “We try to have a little of everything here. I have goats and chickens here also. I don’t sell my chicken; I slaughter my chickens and sort them into parts for cooking.”
Courtney, a native of the village of La Poterie, St. Andrew but resides at La Digue, says that her garden has always ensured that she has food on her table.
Courtney explained how the hobby was developed.
“When my husband died in 2015 and I retired in early 2017, I said to myself, I must get a new hobby to keep myself active, that’s when I decided to get into farming.”
Crop rotation is one of her favoured agricultural practices. “We try to rotate the crops as much as we can,” she said. “ We just harvested some cabbages on one part of the land; we are going to propagate some beet on that area, so we can bring back some of the nutrients that would have been lost,” she added.
This technique according to her, coupled with the use of pen manure is a safer way to grow her food. “ I don’t want chemicals in my food, that’s why I use the pen manure. We also water and clean regularly.
The COVID-19Pandemic, she added, has taught her to be more self-sufficient.
“ COVID really taught me a lot. This is the way that I ensured that I have food during the lockdown and it saved me money, as whatever I grow my family eats.”
The produce from her garden is shared among family members and neighbours and due to production levels one market vendor purchases from her. “Vester ( a vendor) was passing one day and saw my garden; she said she wanted some cabbages to buy; from that time she started purchasing from me to sell at the market.”
Courtney, a retired educator, believes that “everyone with a little piece of land around their house can plant something; you have to make space. Everyone knows how to clear and prepare the land for planting; make sure you get your plants or your seeds and whatever type of fertilizer you want.”
She encourages persons to start a backyard garden.
“We know that in Grenada the land is fertile. We see a lot of people with land around their homes and it is underutilized. If I can do it, you can do it, as well; it is your choice. It’s a great way to put food on your table, especially if you are a wife or a mother and you are home.”
Things to note about Pamela Courtney:
- All her produce is incorporated in her meals.
- She makes planting medium out of old containers and drums.
- She is a retired citizen.
UNIQUE WAYS TO USE CASSAVA (INFO FROM GFNC)
- Cassava chips/Cassava fries
- Cassava milkshake
- Cassava salt-fish salad
- Cassava pone/Cassava pudding
- Boiled
- Roasted
- Leaves can be sun-dried, ground & used in soups and sauces
- Extracted Cassava juice can be added to sauces & pepper pot
